Rain, snow in weekend forecast for Shawnee

After several days of sunny and warm weather, forecasters say a cold front is going to make it feel more like winter as shoppers take advantage of the final weekend of shopping before Christmas

After several days of sunny and warm weather, forecasters say a cold front is going to make it feel more like winter as shoppers take advantage of the final weekend of shopping before Christmas.

And with that cold front will likely be rain, snow or even freezing rain in some areas, with forecasts predicting there could be snow and even thunder in the state.

Matthew Day, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Norman, said while the northwest part of the state will see more snow, there will be a snow and rain divide line around the Oklahoma City area.

“There’s a transition zone through or north of Oklahoma City,” he said, adding some areas might see more rain while others could see freezing rain, depending where exactly temperatures drop below 32 degrees.

With this system having temperature models hovering close to that freezing mark, Day said it makes it more difficult for them to forecast. Many are calling this an unusual weather event.

“One degree difference can mean the difference between snow, freezing rain and rain,” Day said, adding it could vary from area to area.

For the Shawnee area, he said it looks like there’s more of a chance of this weekend event bringing rain.

Although forecasts may change somewhat as more data comes in, at last check, today is expected to be mostly cloudy with a high near 41, with windy conditions.

A chance of showers rolls in this evening through about 1 a.m. Saturday, including a slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows are expected about 35 overnight, although the chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

For Saturday, the NWS expects rain and possible thunderstorms, with a high near 40 degrees. Chances of precipitation are 90 percent.

As Saturday night approaches, rain and snow will be likely overnight, with some thunder also possible with these storms.

On Sunday, rain and snow is likely before 7 a.m. Conditions are expected to be cloudy, with a high near 35 and chances of precipitation remains at 60 percent throughout the day.

Forecasters say Christmas Day will be sunny with a high of 49 degrees.